Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/72612
Good Eats If it were up to my husband, snacks would be banned from the car (this man clearly doesn't understand the power of the food bribe!). I managed to compromise and make it a rule that if it can get squeezed, mashed or crumbled, it is not allowed in the car and trust me from experience, a can Kellogg's and crumbled into 148,000 pieces. Remember, a well-fed toddler be squeezed, Nutri-Grain bar mashed so try to bring snacks (and novelty or never before seen snacks) that she will want to eat. My son was a big fan of the Snack-Trap, a handled bowl with a "spill-resistant" lid good for dry snacks. Toys Will Get Thrown If you have the luxury of sitting in the backseat with your since it is my experience that toddlers have a 1.8 second attention span. Being interactive with my daughter (while my husband is driving, not when I'm solo!) seems to be key in keeping her somewhat content on trips (and providing her someone to pick up the toy after she is finished with it.) Some of our favorites include Magna-Doodle (better than crayons since crayons drop, get thrown, roll or get lost) and any kind of Leap Frog hand-held. toddler, this is highly recommended Instead of Just Books, Bring… Photo albums! My mom made my son a small, plastic (easy to hold!) photo album of his camping trip with my parents last summer. He loves going through the pictures and talking about what or who is in them and what they were doing in each picture. My daughter loves looking at the pictures and pointing out who she recognizes. Favorite Pal If all seem to get my daughter to chill in the car, she will usually throw in the towel and relax with her favorite stuffed animal. I usually make it a rule to leave it in her room for loss prevention reasons, but if it will help her be quiet on car trips, I would be happy to bring along anything that would help in this arena. I would buy her a pony if it would fit in the car should she promise to be quiet. else fails and none of my above tricks Kerry Pinto is a freelance writer living in Stafford with her husband and two adventurous, sometimes impatient, car-traveling children. albeit NOW OPEN! Located across from Build-A-Bear Workshop. A fun place for kids to play, rain or shine! is a happy toddler, Play Park Everyday fun brought to you by Macy's, JCPenney, Costco, Belk, Sears, and over 150 unique stores and eateries. Located at the intersection of Interstate 95 and State Route 3 near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Phone: 540.786.6660. • spotsylvaniatownecentre.com • mallgiftcards.net www.fredericksburgparent.NET 11